1-Getting started with this Italian Sausage Baked Ziti is straightforward and fun: First, preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit and gather all your ingredients to make things go smoothly. Cook the ziti in salted boiling water until it’s just under al dente, about 7 minutes, then drain it well.

2-Next, brown the 1.5 pounds of ground Italian sausage in a heated pan for 5 to 6 minutes, and set it aside once it’s done. Remove any excess fat, leaving just 1 tablespoon in the pan, then sauté the 4 cloves of minced garlic for about 1 minute until it’s fragrant.

3-Now, add the 1 (28-ounce) can of crushed tomatoes, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1.5 teaspoons of sugar, and 0.25 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes to the pan. Let this simmer for 10 minutes to blend the flavors, then stir in 1 cup of heavy cream, 0.33 cup of the grated hard cheese, the browned sausage, and 0.33 cup of chopped fresh basil.

4-Combine the sauce with the cooked pasta in a large bowl. Layer half of this mixture into a 9 x 13-inch baking dish, sprinkle with half the 8 ounces of shredded mozzarella and the remaining 3 tablespoons of hard cheese, then add the rest of the pasta mixture on top. Finish with the remaining cheeses and bake for 15 to 20 minutes until everything is melted and browned.

5-This method ensures even cooking and a delicious result every time. For a similar twist on pasta bakes, try our classic baked ziti recipe for more ideas. Remember, letting it rest for a few minutes after baking helps the flavors settle.